9th Sep 2010 12:53:27 PM The Charities | The Children | Dorah Mokoena | Health | Schools / Training | Community | Regional Reports | UMashesha Home Amanda Simanga New Amukelani Dube New Andani Mphaphuli New Anele Nyongwana New Babalwa Debele New Bafana Nzima New Balombo Bambula New Basheeba Worlotoe New Boipelo Mosegedi New Bongani Madlala New Bongani Phakati New Bonginkosi New Brendan New Chris M New Deon Slabbert New Dikeledi Mboko New Doreen New Ernest Tshabalala New Evelyn Minto Essono's New Feleng New Franklin New Fursy Mogobe New Gabriel New Gloria New Gontise Mogotsi New Habiba New Helen Matondo New Irene Peta New Jabulani Malungane New Jacques Abrahams New Janine Barends New Jaun Henning New Jeffers Zitha New Jose New Jose Mvula New Kagiso Maphoso New Kagiso Mathebula New Kagiso Mphuti New Karabo Thebedi New Kedibone New Kenyan New Kjetil Sandivk Havnen New Koketso Sekuru New Lee Branco New Liane Grond New Lida Basson New Linda Nana Tshbalala New Londeka Ngidi New Maje New Marco Bronkhorst New Mbali New Mfundo Ntamehlo New Michelle Mthenjwa New Mimi New Mittah New Mlungisi New Mohau Qumpula New Mpho Maja New Musa Zwane New Musiwa New Neliswe Radebe New Nelson Tsabalala New Nkululeko New Nouna boy New Nsizwa Vilakazi New Nyakallo New Oscar Mlondolozi Hadebe New Phindile New Piet Moloja New Reagan New Rolivhuwa Matodzi New Rose Wambua New Rumbi New Saloma Aphanye New Sameh Chiboub New Samkelo Sole New Samukelo Radebe New Seif New Seizo New Selamawit New Shirley Seqobane New Sicelo New Simamkele New Sithembiso Hlatshwayo New Siyabonga Morwasetla New Siyabonga Nokumbi New Siyamthanda New Sizwe New Steven Marakeng Mpyana New Sunday Mukaza New Tapera Jani New Tavonga New Thapelo New Thomas New Thulani Nhleko New Tshepiso Sekuru New Vhahangwele Matodz New Vivian New Vusi Mathibela New Xavier New Yassine Ben Ali New Zanele Jeza New Zenette and Precious Van Wyke New Zianda Ndlovu New Zipho Zwane New Seifeddine Jaballah Seifeddine Jaballah was a teenager sitting on a balcony in Tunis, Tunisia, in October 2008, talking to his sweetheart on the phone. A wire blew in the wind, touched his metal chair and 36,000 volts shot through him. He was taken to hospital and, so severe were the burns from electrocution, that both his lower legs had to be amputated. Seif was in a coma for more than a month. Seif has survived but his life has changed for ever. He can no longer play his much-loved support, basketball. He cannot walk far without chafing from the prosthesis. His upper arm is half the width it was, though Dr Amen Messadi is going to try to improve this for him. Seif has, however, learned to drive a car with false legs and he is engaged to be married. What career he will have, he still doesn't know. Seif came from Children of Fire North Africa to join our activities in the Drakensberg mountains in October 2009. He befriended other burns survivors from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Taiwan and South Africa. Seif also visited Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital and, after excellent advice from Heinrich Grimsehl, hopes to return to South Africa in 2010 to get replacement prosthetic legs there. It was a challenge to have a legless boy on a hiking trip from Dragons Peak mountain resort, but the SA National Parks Board kindly assisted with a horse and that allowed Seif to participate in many activities. Seif is so confident of his abilities, he really wants to attend the Mt Cameroon climb scheduled for 2010 in Cameroon as well. As Seif's burns were due to dangerous electricity, a legal case against the electricity supply company in Tunis is likely. Seif met Samkelo Radebe in Johannesburg. Samkelo lost both his hands and had other burns due to electrocution. Samkelo won a settlement in his case against Eskom and now a student lawyer himself, would be keen to give Seif and his family some legal pointers. Useful references: Psychological Adjustment and Coping in Adults with Prosthetic Limbs, Pamela Gallagher; Journal of Behavioural Medicine, Issue: Fall 1999. Effects of Design Varians of Lower-Limb Prostheses on Gait Synergy, Journal of Prosthetic and Orthotics; Volume 9, Number 3, pages 113-122. Seif's leg stumps. After amputation, the skin breaks down unless prosthesis are very well made. This material is Copyright © The Dorah Mokoena Charitable Trust and/or Children of Fire , 1998-2010. Distribution or re-transmission of this material, excluding the Schools' Guide, is expressly forbidden without prior permission of the Trust. For further information, email firechildren@icon.co.za About Children of Fire | Contact us | Advertise with us COPYRIGHT © 2010 Children of Fire. All rights reserved. Designed Developed and Maintained by Fyre Interactive